Rapid Motor Vehicle Company
Encyclopedia
The Rapid Motor Vehicle Company was founded in 1902 in Pontiac, Michigan
, by brothers Max Grabowsky and Morris Grabowsky, who built their first prototype in 1901. They went on to build one-ton trucks and were the beginning of GMC Truck division after they were acquired by General Motors
in 1909. in Detroit, Michigan
.
Rapid built a 10-passenger carry-all by 1906 which was priced at US$2,200. Every car was guaranteed for one year. The company also built a model that carried 13 passengers as well as a "full line" of passenger cars and trucks. The company advertised in a national trade magazine and noted; "Here is a car that is needed at every club, hotel or country place."
Rapid was the "first truck to conquer Pikes Peak" in a 1909 road race.
By 1908, H. G. Hamilton was treasurer of the company which was located at 507 Rapid Street in Pontiac
.
Pontiac, Michigan
Pontiac is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan named after the Ottawa Chief Pontiac, located within the Detroit metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 59,515. It is the county seat of Oakland County...
, by brothers Max Grabowsky and Morris Grabowsky, who built their first prototype in 1901. They went on to build one-ton trucks and were the beginning of GMC Truck division after they were acquired by General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
in 1909. in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
.
History
In 1905, Albert North and Harry Hamilton from the Pontiac Spring & Wagon Works (PS&WW) built the first Pontiac automobile and also acquired control of the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company from the Grabowski brothers. Both became key forces in the operations of the company. Under their direction, the establishment produced many different styles of passenger cars for commercial purposes. This included 12 passenger Rapid Pullman Passenger Cars, 12 passenger Sight Seeing Cars, 12 passenger Hotel Bus and other vehicles to suit special requirements.Rapid built a 10-passenger carry-all by 1906 which was priced at US$2,200. Every car was guaranteed for one year. The company also built a model that carried 13 passengers as well as a "full line" of passenger cars and trucks. The company advertised in a national trade magazine and noted; "Here is a car that is needed at every club, hotel or country place."
Rapid was the "first truck to conquer Pikes Peak" in a 1909 road race.
General Motors
General Motors Company, founded in 1908, was known as one of the largest car manufacturers in the world by 1909 when they acquired Rapid Motor Vehicle Company. The Rapid was considered the predecessor of the GMC Truck and the trade name "GMC Trucks" was first exhibited in 1912 at the New York Auto Show and was registered with the United States Patent Office eight months later.Company management
In 1905, president of the company was Albert Marx and secretary was Morris Grabowsky. During 1906, C. N. Henry was sales manager for the firm.By 1908, H. G. Hamilton was treasurer of the company which was located at 507 Rapid Street in Pontiac
Pontiac, Michigan
Pontiac is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan named after the Ottawa Chief Pontiac, located within the Detroit metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 59,515. It is the county seat of Oakland County...
.